Americans Drop Preseason Game to Chiefs in Overtime

KENNEWICK, Wash - Spokane's Drayson Bowman had a four-point night and Jace Coyle tallied the game-winning goal in overtime to lift the Spokane Chiefs (5-0-0-0) to a 5-4 victory over the Tri-City Americans (1-1-1-1) in Game 4 of the Red Lion Hotels Pre-Season Tournament at the Toyota Center. For the Chiefs, it was their fifth straight win this pre-season, while the Americans fall to their up-state rivals for the second time this exhibition season.

Bowman got the scoring started for the Chiefs at the 8:46 mark of the first period. However, Tri-City tallied the next three goals to take the lead. Adam Hughesman picked-up Tri-Cities' first goal at the 12:35 mark of the period. Then, 14 seconds later, Blair Macaulay gave the Americans the lead.

While on the power play in the second period, Tri-City's Mason Wilgosh made it a 3-1 game with just over seven minutes to play. But, with two minutes remaining before intermission, Spokane's David Rutherford made it a 3-2 game and pulled the Chiefs to within a goal headed into the second intermission.

In the third period, the Chiefs registered two quick goals just over a minute a part to take a 4-3 lead in the contest. But, Tri-City responded with a goal from Petr Stoklasa with less than seven minutes left in regulation to send the game into overtime.

In the extra frame, Coyle netted the game-winner with just under three minutes remaining, past Americans' goaltender Chet Pickard, to give the Chiefs the win. Pickard finished with 35 saves on 40 shots, while Spokane's Dustin Tokarski collected 29 saves on 33 shots faced. The win wraps-up the Chiefs' schedule at the Tournament, while Tri-City prepares to face-off against the Everett Silvertips tomorrow, Sunday, September 9. Game time is 5:00 PM.